World Cup Cocktail

New Zealand pace bowler Adam Milne was expected to take a full part in training this afternoon as he completes his recovery from a shoulder injury.

The 22-year-old missed last Friday's Pool A victory over Bangladesh in Hamilton after he took a knock to his shoulder while taking a catch in the outfield during New Zealand's previous game against Afghanistan in Napier.

It wasn't thought to be serious and Black Caps coach Mike Hesson said the fastest bowler in his squad was recovering well and he would return to training.

Pietersen-Swann showdown

England might be out of the Cricket World Cup but they still provide the combatants for potentially the tournament's biggest flashpoint, with arch-enemies Kevin Pietersen and Graeme Swann set to come face to face in the BBC commentary box.

Pietersen will work alongside Swann for the first time at the Auckland semi-final.

And the confrontation between the ex-England team-mates, whose relationship disintegrated in the fall-out from the 2013-14 Ashes whitewash, has been given spice with the possibility Pietersen might now return to county cricket and the national team.

Swann has accused Pietersen of "upsetting people wherever he goes", says the ECB were "justified" in terminating his England contract and calls Pietersen's autobiography a "work of fiction".

Despite the history, TMS producer Adam Mountford is hopeful there will be no trouble between the pair on the day, saying:

A matter of faith

The Human Rights Commission has received a complaint of alleged unlawful discrimination on the grounds of religion on the wearing of kirpan, a religious dagger carried by Sikhs bound by a religious commandment, at World Cup venues.

A commission spokeswoman said the complaint was being assessed and referred to the parties.

Seven Sikh cricket fans were refused entry to Eden Park to watch a World Cup match between India and Zimbabwe last Saturday because they had kirpans.

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said the ICC rightly set the rules of what could be brought into venues but he believed it was wrong in barring kirpans.

Inzi backs 10-team WC

Former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq has thrown his considerable weight behind a 10-team World Cup, saying, "There's talk of a 10-team ICC World Cup in 2019 and I am all in favour of it.

For Associate teams like Ireland, what the ICC needs to do is to arrange regular One-Day International series against Test nations, say minimum of 10-12 ODIs in a year, instead of just organising international matches among the associate countries. It could help lower-ranked sides, especially Ireland, to be in the top eight of the ICC Rankings and qualify directly for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019."

Akram excited by Starc

Wasim Akram can't wait to see five left-arm seamers when Australia and Pakistan clash for a World Cup semi-final spot, but admits Mitchell Starc is his favourite.

"It excites me to no end. When I used to play there were very few left-armers. I will be the most excited person at Adelaide Oval."

"To me Starc is the best. He has height and he swings the ball and that is why he is so successful," said Wasim.

Wasim also praised New Zealand's Trent Boult who has 15 wickets in six games.

--Compiled